Lately I’ve been experimenting with different processes within my iPhone, and the myriad of photography apps I have downloaded over the past few years.
I’ve found some great processes and colours (usually completely by accident) and have really enjoyed the results thus far. In case you missed it, last month I gave my top ten tips on how to take unforgettable photos with your phone camera – you can read the article on Harpers Bazaar.
Category Archives: Photographers
A Handsome Project – Amanda Bisk & Chris Lew
We are excited to present the next installment of The Handsome Project. Each month we’ll showcase an amazing young photographer who blows our minds, shoots our stuff and is all together fantastic. Read on to see the rest of Amanda & Chris’ WAH photoshoot and interview…
What was the concept of the shoot?
Chris and I have worked together this year creating images focused on our pure love for the outdoors. When we came together to create some images for We Are Handsome, we were very conscious in our intentions to focus on using bold, saturated tones, as well as capturing and preserving the underlying core essence of the We Are Handsome brand. The sweeping beaches, sheltered coves and raw headlands surrounding Sydney proved the perfect backdrop against which to juxtapose dominant, physical lines with the vibrant tones and streamlined details of the swimwear pieces.
Tell us a bit about yourselves?
AB: I have been involved in sport since the age of 3 and have always had a passion for healthy and active living. My background in gymnastics and athletics led me to find pole vault, where I represented Australia at the World University Games in Belgrade in 2009 and the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010. Chris and I actually met because of athletics!
Following the games in Delhi I had plans to prepare for the Olympic Games in London. In 2011 I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, which forced me to retire from pole vault. This turned my life around and for a long while I felt lost.
In the last year I have really focused on living the most happy, healthy and active life possible. A year ago I found yoga (a form of exercise that could help my chronic fatigue symptoms), which has really helped me in my transition into normal life after being an elite athlete for so many years. I have also taken the time to educate myself about nutrition and food and have discovered how important this is for our health and wellbeing.
I am now a pole vault coach at the Western Australian Institute of Sport. I absolutely love it, it allows me to pass on my knowledge and see athletes master their skill and fulfill their dreams in sport. For my own well being I love keeping active and I try to do as many different sports and exercises as I can. I am involved in running the Perth Nike Run Club every week, which I combine with yoga, strength training, bike riding, surfing, gymnastics and anything else that comes my way.
I really believe variety in life is essential, and this applies to everything including food, exercise, mental stimulation and social experiences. We need a balance and I try to channel this through my pictures on my instagram and facebook accounts. The work Chris and I have done in recent months has really captured some amazing moments.
CL: I had a pretty active childhood, you would have found me on the monkey bars, the tennis court, rugby field or on the athletics track. I found a talent for running at high school and was lucky enough to compete at national level for a few years. I dabbled in rugby for a few seasons, but I returned to running after getting belted by overweight forwards a few more times than I enjoyed.
I traversed the traditional route after school and studied finance and accounting at university. I worked in the corporate world for close to a decade, but eventually left it in the rear view mirror to pursue full time commercial, advertising photography. Creating something that matters and chasing things you love ultimately proved more important to me.
The athletics community is fairly tight-knit in Australia, I met up with Amanda earlier this year to collaborate and decided to work together long-term to build a platform to help and inspire others. I love her positive attitude to everything, and it’s been an easy partnership.
What is your photography history Chris?
CL: I had my start in photography at an early age. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by cameras. I was born in the 80’s, we were the last of the film generation, long before the internet had arrived and mobile camera technology was the norm. I carried my camera everywhere, before you could be labelled a trendy hipster. I found I always had a point-and-shoot lying at the bottom of my track bag and would snap candids at the running track, eventually progressing to the competition arena. Many of my friends were sponsored athletes, and I began shooting images off the beaten path, travelling to remote locations with the specific intention to chase and create unique and captivating images. My work began being published in print and online, and a number of shoe and apparel companies began noticing my work.
I dabbled on the internet in the late 90’s, I taught myself how to code at the age of 11. The advent of social media, mobile communication and web 2.0 have been powerful vehicles with which to transport my images and voice across the globe. The raw image will always make my heart beat faster, and I’ve always been big on producing and sharing interesting and unique content, and helping others in the industry.
What makes you tick?
AB: Being around wonderful people. My family and friends give me energy and make me happy. If you are surrounded by positive, motivating and inspirational people it is really contagious and you have no other option but to feel amazing.
CL: I love the collaborative and the creative process. I’m a strong advocate of shooting personal work, images that you’re passionate about, with no underlying agenda, client or creative directive. Everyone owns a camera and is a photographer these days, and it’s an amazing time for the industry, but being unique will set you apart from everyone else in the industry and lets you stand out from the crowd.
Where to next?
AB: Chris and I have a great friendship and we really enjoy working together. There are definitely plans to continue our work and to just keep discovering new and exciting concepts. Each time we come together I feel like our images are better than the time before so I can’t wait to see what the future holds!
I am also currently developing a website with my partner to share my knowledge and experience of health and exercise. Chris’ images will definitely be a centerpiece and these will be combined with a blog and compilation of food, fitness, wellbeing and motivation. I want to show people that healthy and active living doesn’t need to be boring and that it can be achievable through simple changes.
Photography: Chris Lew
Model: Amanda Bisk
A HANDSOME PROJECT – JILL WRIGHT
We are excited to present the next installment of The Handsome Project. Photographer Jill Wright and her team constructed a story the likes of which we haven’t seen from a project shoot before. Shot in 3 locations across Queensland in 1 busy day, the results are an exercise in finding focus in the chaos that surrounds us.
Each month we’ll showcase an amazing young photographer who blows our minds, shoots our stuff and is all together fantastic.
Read on to see the rest of Jill’s WAH photo shoot and interview…
We are excited to present the next installment of The Handsome Project. Each month we’ll showcase an amazing young photographer who blows our minds, shoots our stuff and is all together fantastic. Continue reading
Miles Aldridge
We love Miles Aldrigde’s unique and glamorous style, here are a few our our favourite shots:
Visit his website for more.
SLUMFLOWER
In a world where fashion can often be driven by consumerism, there is a need for both film and print editorial, to reflect the individual creation of style and go beyond just surface aesthetics, telling stories of creativity and originality. It is often rare that you find this. Joshua Kissi & Travis Gumbs of Street Etiquette are believers in this concept and it is through their vision along with fellow collaborators; the Visual Supply Company and Photographer Rog Walker, their latest project SLUMFLOWER, came to life.
Photo of the day
Friends gather around a summer campfire at Great Point Lighthouse on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, June 1970.
Photograph by James L. Stanfield, National Geographic
Paradise Found…
In May we were invited to take part in Hamilton Island’s Return2Paradise instameet – and it was an absolute perfect escape to one of the most flawlessly beautiful destinations on the planet!
For those who don’t know, Instameet’s bring together a group of Instagrammers together to celebrate the rapamant creativity of mobile photography.
After a successful meetup last year Hamilton invited a slew of new and influential and passionate Instagrammers to take part in this years event. Joining us in the quest (and only naming a few) Ido Simyoni (@ido8all) a PR & Creative Manager joined us from London, Michael Klim @michealklim1) a world swimming champion, Lindy Klim @lindyklim Mother, businesswoman and Balinese princess and Food photographer, Billy Law (@atablefortwo) a Masterchef contestant and cookbook author. Together we shared once in a lifetime experiences and most importantly could share the adventure with our followers on Instagram.
Whilst on the island a documentary of Jem’s story of his never-ending summer was shot – encapsulating the gathering of inspiration on his incredible journey both to the island and as a creatively minded person, designer & photographer.
[youtube_sc url=VVrBaUKMldA width=540]
Over the course of four glorious days we immersed ourselves in all the beautiful offerings of Hamilton Island, and weeks later we’re still in absolute awe. The island is strategically placed on the edge of the Great Barrier reef and nestled right in the heart of the exquisite Whitsundays and it is really everything you could ever need in a tropical dream destination.
Staying at qualia – voted Best Resort in the world by Conde Nast in 2012 it’s not hard to understand why it’s received such an accolade – everything at the resort has to offer is of such a high calibre. The service is outstanding, seamless and carried out with a genuine pride and joy. The food and beverage offering is world class and the location and attention to detail comes together smoothly to turn a stay there into an unforgettable experience.
Spanning the Western side of the island, qualia’s pavilions, houses, dining pavilions and pools are dotted in and amongst lush greenery and each are totally private and have expansive and uninterrupted views of life passing by in the Whitsundays. Stylishly decorated with comfort and function in mind, nature tones compliment and all the while effortlessly catered to every whim and desire.
The island operates on golf buggy power and we took every opportunity to explore every inch in ours and where the buggy didn’t go, we went on foot. The island has a handful of winding trails to walk or run (if that’s takes your fancy) and the reward at the top – the most breathtaking beautiful vista’s across the Coral sea and neighbouring islands. Should you choose to run – make sure you pack your swimsuit for a dip in the sea afterwards!
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef is so incredibly easy from Hamilton Island. We had the pleasure of taking an seaplane chartered by Hamilton Island Air, who really gave us the flight of our lives!
Staring with a cruising over and around some of the other 74 islands we then headed further North and found ourselves flying over the drop off where the sea meets the reef and over the most crystal clear turquoise waters, spotting sharks, turtles, schools of fish and the sheer volume of coral from above. A highlight of the trip and something you can only see by air is the heart shaped reef, a naturally occurring bommie (shallow reef) and quite the spot to find yourself if you ever need a reason for romance.
With Hamilton Island Air we were able to snorkel the reef in a secluded part generally reserved for Marine Study. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is an extraordinary experience, swimming by you find yourself face to mask with one of the oldest living things on the planet and the sealife that call it home. We spotted hundreds of various shimmering and shy fish darting in and around the coral and some more precocious fish who were very interested in our presence. Topping off the experience with champagne and cheese on board a glass bottomed pontoon before we boarded the seaplane again and headed over the reef to go explore Whitehaven beach.
The colours of Whitehaven are unbelievable – the sands and sea are brilliantly shades of blue and pristine white, all seven kilometres of it!
Around every corner the island has treasures to explore and something to suit your taste for adventure. Kickstart your day with a healthy walk up to Resort lookout, from where you can watch the world take on colour in complete stillness, or if you prefer sunsets, for the ultimate kaleidoscope show head over to One Tree Hill and share a drink with the locals.
Catseye beach is the perfect haven to put your feet in the sand, a book in your hand and while away the hours under a bountiful sky. Then there is neighbouring Dent Island, where after a short ferry ride you’ll find yourself on the only island with a golf course in the Southern Hemisphere!
Hamilton island truly captivated us, it’s a place like no other, we felt so relaxed and enriched with the experiences we had. The people of the island are so welcoming and engaging and so eager to show off their spectacular piece of the world. We truly believe we found Paradise.
The best part? Direct flights to Hamilton island are just over 2 hours from Sydney – no passport needed, so we are absolutely looking to return as soon as possible and there really is no reason why you aren’t headed there this weekend…and the next!
To see all the pictures from the weekend, just click this link: #return2paradise for more photos on the beauty that waits for you on Hamilton Island, click here: #hamiltonisland
As always you can keep up with us on Instagram , and follow @Hamilton Island as well.
There’s a huge amount of useful information at Hamiltonisland.com.au and if you’re in the mood for complete luxury, don’t even think about passing up an opportunity to stay at qualia.
Photo of The Day
From our tour to Hamilton Island last month.. more to come!
Photo of The Day
Somewhere in Sardinia, Italy